Digital image camera using autofocus information for image enhancement

ABSTRACT

A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing the image utilizing an adjustable focusing technique; utilizing the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; and processing the image, utilizing the said focus settings to produce effects specific to said focus settings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,750, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,948.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for utilising autofocus information in a digital image camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilizing a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilizing a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may be available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation in which is was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for enhanced processing of images captured by a digital camera utilising autofocus settings.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating a manipulated output image by means of a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing technique         generating focus settings;     -   generating a manipulated output image by applying a digital         image manipulating process to the focused image, the digital         image manipulating process utilizing the focus settings.

Preferably the focus settings include a current position of a zoom motor of the digital camera.

In a preferred embodiment the digital image manipulating process includes a step of locating an object within the focused image utilizing the focus settings.

The method may include the step of printing out the manipulated image by means of a printing mechanism incorporated into the digital camera.

It is preferred that the digital image manipulating process selectively applies techniques to the focused image on the basis of the focus settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the method of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the ARTCAM type camera.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the concurrently filed application, Applicant's reference ART01, U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,060 entitled “A Digital Camera with Image Processing Capability” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram thereof.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device 30 leading to the production of various effects in any output image 40. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards 9 hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) 32 which is interconnected to a memory device 34 for the storage of important data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, autofocus is achieved by processing of a CCD data stream to ensure maximum contrast. Techniques for determining a focus position based on a CCD data stream are known. For example, reference is made to “The Encyclopedia of Photography” editors Leslie Stroebel and Richard Zakia, published 1993 by Butterworth-Heinemann and “Applied Photographic Optics” by London & Boston, Focal Press, 1988. These techniques primarily rely on measurements of contrast between adjacent pixels over portions of an input image. The image is initially processed by the ACP in order to determine a correct autofocus setting.

This autofocus information is then utilized by the ACP 32 in certain modes, for example, when attempting to locate faces within the image, as a guide to the likely size of any face within the image, thereby simplifying the face location process.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of the method utilized to determine likely image characteristics for examination by a face detection algorithm 10.

Various images eg. 2, 3 and 4 are imaged by the camera device 28. As a by product of the operation of the auto-focusing the details of the focusing settings of the autofocus unit 5 are stored by the ACP 32. Additionally, a current position of the zoom motor 38 is also utilized as zoom setting 6. Both of these settings are determined by the ACP 32. Subsequently, the ACP 32 applies analysis techniques in heuristic system 8 to the detected values before producing an output 29 having a magnitude corresponding to the likely depth location of objects of interest 21, 31 or 41 within the image 2, 3 or 4 respectively.

Next, the depth value is utilised in a face detection algorithm 10 running on the ACP 32 in addition to the inputted sensed image 11 so as to locate objects within the image. A close output 29 corresponding to a range value indicates a high probability of a portrait image, a medium range indicates a high probability of a group photograph and a further range indicates a higher probability of a landscape image. This probability information can be utilized as an aid for the face detection algorithm and also can be utilised for selecting between various parameters when producing “painting” effects within the image or painting the image with clip arts or the like, with different techniques or clip arts being applied depending on the distance to an object.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

The present invention is further best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs although it is not restricted thereto.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of page width print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (page width times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty five different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

Cross-Referenced Applications

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

Docket Reference Title IJ01US 6,227,652 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer IJ02US 6,213,588 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US 6,213,589 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US 6,231,163 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05US 6,247,795 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer IJ06US 6,394,581 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US 6,244,691 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US 6,257,704 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US 6,416,168 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer IJ10US 6,220,694 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US 6,257,705 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US 6,247,794 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US 6,234,610 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer IJ14US 6,247,793 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ15US 6,264,306 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer IJ16US 6,241,342 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ17US 6,247,792 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ18US 6,264,307 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ19US 6,254,220 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US 6,234,611 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US 6,302,528 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer IJ22US 6,283,582 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US 6,239,821 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US 6,338,547 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US 6,247,796 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer IJ26US 6,557,977 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US 6,390,603 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US 6,362,843 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer IJ29US 6,293,653 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ30US 6,312,107 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer IJ31US 6,227,653 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer IJ32US 6,234,609 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ33US 6,238,040 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer IJ34US 6,188,415 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring IJ35US 6,227,654 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer IJ36US 6,209,989 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US 6,247,791 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US 6,336,710 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US 6,217,153 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US 6,416,167 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units IJ41US 6,243,113 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element IJ42US 6,283,581 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ43US 6,247,790 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44US 6,260,953 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US 6,267,469 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types) Basic operation mode (7 types) Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types) Actuator motion (19 types) Nozzle refill method (4 types) Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types) Nozzle clearing method (9 types) Nozzle plate construction (9 types) Drop ejection direction (5 types) Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these forty five examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Actuator Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal bubble An electrothermal heater Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet 1979 heats the ink to Simple construction Ink carrier limited Endo et al GB patent above boiling point, No moving parts to water 2,007,162 transferring significant Fast operation Low efficiency Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 heat to the aqueous ink. Small chip area required for High temperatures Hawkins et al U.S. Pat. No. A bubble nucleates and actuator required 4,899,181 quickly forms, expelling High mechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ the ink. The efficiency stress 1982 Vaught et al of the process is low, Unusual materials U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 with typically less than required 0.05% of the electrical Large drive energy being transformed transistors into kinetic energy of Cavitation causes the drop. actuator failure Kogation reduces bubble formation Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric Low power consumption Very large area Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. crystal such as lead Many ink types can be used required for 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate Fast operation actuator Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 (PZT) is electrically High efficiency Difficult to 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. activated, and either integrate with 3,747,120 expands, shears, or electronics Epson Stylus bends to apply pressure High voltage drive Tektronix to the ink, ejecting transistors required IJ04 drops. Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to actuator size Requires electrical poling in high field strengths during manufacture Electro-strictive An electric field is Low power consumption Low maximum strain Seiko Epson, Usui et all used to activate Many ink types can be used (approx. 0.01%) JP 253401/96 electrostriction in Low thermal expansion Large area required IJ04 relaxor materials such Electric field strength required for actuator due to as lead lanthanum (approx. 3.5 V/μm) can be low strain zirconate titanate generated without difficulty Response speed is (PLZT) or lead Does not require electrical marginal (~10 μs) magnesium niobate poling High voltage drive (PMN). transistors required Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to actuator size Ferroelectric An electric field is Low power consumption Difficult to IJ04 used to induce a Many ink types can be used integrate with phase transition Fast operation (<1 μs) electronics between the Relatively high longitudinal Unusual materials antiferroelectric strain such as PLZSnT are (AFE) and ferroelectric High efficiency required (FE) phase. Perovskite Electric field strength of around Actuators require materials such as 3 V/μm can be readily a large area tin modified lead provided lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of up to 1% associated with the AFE to FE phase transition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are Low power consumption Difficult to operate IJ02, IJ04 plates separated by a Many ink types can be used electrostatic devices compressible or fluid Fast operation in an aqueous dielectric (usually environment air). Upon application The electrostatic of a voltage, the actuator will normally plates attract each need to be separated other and displace ink, from the ink causing drop ejection. Very large area The conductive plates required to achieve may be in a comb or high forces honeycomb structure, or High voltage drive stacked to increase the transistors may be surface area and required therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic pull A strong electric field Low current consumption High voltage required 1989 Saito et al, U.S. Pat. No. on ink is applied to the Low temperature May be damaged by 4,799,068 ink, whereupon sparks due to air 1989 Miura et al, U.S. Pat. No. electrostatic attraction breakdown 4,810,954 accelerates the ink Required field Tone-jet towards the print strength increases medium. as the drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet electro- directly attracts a Many ink types can be used Permanent magnetic magnetic permanent magnet, Fast operation material such as displacing ink and High efficiency Neodymium Iron Boron causing drop ejection. Easy extension from single (NdFeB) required. Rare earth magnets nozzles to pagewidth print High local currents with a field strength heads required around 1 Tesla can be Copper metalization used. Examples are: should be used for Samarium Cobalt long electromigration (SaCo) and magnetic lifetime and low materials in the resistivity neodymium iron boron Pigmented inks are family (NdFeB, usually infeasible NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc) Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft magnetic core A solenoid induced a Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 electro-magnetic magnetic field in a Many ink types can be used Materials not usually IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 soft magnetic core or Fast operation present in a CMOS fab yoke fabricated from a High efficiency such as NiFe, CoNiFe, ferrous material such as Easy extension from single or CoFe are electroplated iron nozzles to pagewidth print required alloys such as CoNiFe heads High local currents [1], CoFe, or NiFe required alloys. Typically, the Copper metalization soft magnetic material should be used for is in two parts, long electromigration which are normally held lifetime and low apart by a spring. When resistivity the solenoid is actuated, Electroplating is the two parts attract, required displacing the ink. High saturation flux density is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force acting Low power consumption Force acts as a IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz force on a current carrying Many ink types can be used twisting motion wire in a magnetic field Fast operation Typically, only a is utilized. High efficiency quarter of the sole- This allows the Easy extension from single noid length provides magnetic field to be nozzles to pagewidth print force in a useful supplied externally to heads direction the print head, for High local currents example with rare earth required permanent magnets. Copper metalization Only the current should be used for carrying wire need be long electromigration fabricated on the print- lifetime and low head, simplifying resistivity materials requirements. Pigmented inks are usually infeasible Magneto-striction The actuator uses the Many ink types can be used Force acts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. giant magnetostrictive Fast operation twisting motion 4,032,929 effect of materials such Easy extension from single Unusual materials IJ25 as Terfenol-D (an nozzles to pagewidth print such as Terfenol-D alloy of terbium, heads are required dysprosium and iron High force is available High local currents developed at the required Naval Ordnance Copper metalization Laboratory, hence Ter- should be used for Fe-NOL). For best long electromigration efficiency, the lifetime and low actuator should be resistivity pre-stressed to Pre-stressing may approx. 8 MPa. be required Surface tension Ink under positive Low power consumption Requires supplementary Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction pressure is held in Simple construction force to effect drop 658 A2 and related a nozzle by surface No unusual materials required separation patent applications tension. The surface in fabrication Requires special ink tension of the ink is High efficiency surfactants reduced below the Easy extension from single Speed may be limited bubble threshold, nozzles to pagewidth print by surfactant causing the ink to heads properties egress from the nozzle. Viscosity The ink viscosity is Simple construction Requires supplementary Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction locally reduced to No unusual materials required force to effect drop 658 A2 and related select which drops in fabrication separation patent applications are to be ejected. A Easy extension from single Requires special ink viscosity reduction nozzles to pagewidth print viscosity properties can be achieved heads High speed is electrothermally with difficult to achieve most inks, but Requires oscillating special inks can be ink pressure engineered for a 100:1 A high temperature viscosity reduction. difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is Can operate without a nozzle Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimioglu et al, generated and plate Complex fabrication EUP 550,192 focussed upon the Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, EUP drop ejection region. Poor control of drop 572,220 position Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which Low power consumption Efficient aqueous IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator relies upon Many ink types can be used operation requires IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 differential thermal Simple planar fabrication a thermal insulator IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 expansion upon Small chip area required for on the hot side IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 Joule heating is used. each actuator Corrosion prevention IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Fast operation can be difficult IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 High efficiency Pigmented inks may IJ41 CMOS compatible voltages and be infeasible, as currents pigment particles Standard MEMS processes can may jam the bend be used actuator Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very High force can be generated Requires special IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermoelastic high coefficient of PTFE is a candidate for low material (e.g. PTFE) IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 actuator thermal expansion (CTE) dielectric constant insulation Requires a PTFE IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 such as in ULSI deposition process, IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 polytetrafluoroethylene Very low power consumption which is not yet (PTFE) is used. Many ink types can be used standard in ULSI fabs As high CTE materials Simple planar fabrication PTFE deposition are usually non- Small chip area required for cannot be followed conductive, a heater each actuator with high temperature fabricated from a Fast operation (above 350 °C.) conductive material High efficiency processing is incorporated. A 50 CMOS compatible voltages and Pigmented inks may μm long PTFE bend currents be infeasible, as actuator with Easy extension from single pigment particles polysilicon heater nozzles to pagewidth print may jam the bend and 15 mW power heads actuator input can provide 180 μN force and 10 μm deflection. Actuator motions include: 1) Bend 2) Push 3) Buckle 4) Rotate Conductive A polymer with a High force can be generated Requires special IJ24 polymer high coefficient of Very low power consumption materials development thermoelastic thermal expansion Many ink types can be used (High CTE conductive actuator (such as PTFE) is Simple planar fabrication polymer) doped with conducting Small chip area required for Requires a PTFE substances to each actuator deposition process, increase its Fast operation which is not yet conductivity to about High efficiency standard in ULSI fabs 3 orders of magnitude CMOS compatible voltages and PTFE deposition cannot below that of currents be followed with high copper. The conducting Easy extension from single temperature (above polymer expands nozzles to pagewidth print 350 °C.) processing when resistively heated. heads Evaporation and CVD Examples of conducting deposition techniques dopants include: cannot be used 1) Carbon nanotubes Pigmented inks may 2) Metal fibers be infeasible, as 3) Conductive polymers pigment particles such as doped may jam the bend polythiophene actuator 4) Carbon granules Shape memory A shape memory alloy High force is available (stresses Fatigue limits IJ26 alloy such as TiNi (also of hundreds of MPa) maximum number of known as Nitinol - Large strain is available (more cycles Nickel Titanium alloy than 3%) Low strain (1%) is developed at the High corrosion resistance required to extend Naval Ordnance Simple construction fatigue resistance Laboratory) is Easy extension from single Cycle rate limited thermally switched nozzles to pagewidth print by heat removal between its weak heads Requires unusual martensitic state and Low voltage operation materials (TiNi) its high stiffness The latent heat of austenic state. The transformation must shape of the actuator be provided in its martensitic High current operation state is deformed Requires pre-stressing relative to the to distort the austenic shape. martensitic state The shape change causes ejection of a drop. Linear Magnetic Linear magnetic Linear Magnetic actuators can Requires unusual semi- IJ12 Actuator actuators include the be constructed with high conductor materials Linear Induction thrust, long travel, and high such as soft magnetic Actuator (LIA), Linear efficiency using planar alloys (e.g. CoNiFe Permanent Magnet semiconductor fabrication [1]) Synchronous Actuator techniques Some varieties also (LPMSA), Linear Long actuator travel is available require permanent Reluctance Synchronous Medium force is available magnetic materials Actuator (LRSA), Linear Low voltage operation such as Neodymium Switched Reluctance iron boron (NdFeB) Actuator (LSRA), Requires complex and the Linear Stepper multi-phase drive Actuator (LSA). circuitry High current operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuator directly This is the simplest Simple operation Drop repetition rate is usually limited to less Thermal inkjet pushes ink mode of operation: No external fields required than 10 KHz. However, this is not Piezoelectric inkjet the actuator directly Satellite drops can be avoided if fundamental to the method, but is related IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 supplies sufficient drop velocity is less than 4 to the refill method normally used IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 kinetic energy to m/s All of the drop kinetic energy must be IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 expel the drop. The Can be efficient, depending provided by the actuator IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 drop must have a upon the actuator used Satellite drops usually form if drop velocity IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 sufficient velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 to overcome the IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 surface tension. IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to be Very simple print head Requires close proximity between the print Silverbrook, EP 0771 printed are selected fabrication can be used head and the print media or transfer roller 658 A2 and related by some manner (e.g. The drop selection means does May require two print heads printing patent applications thermally induced not need to provide the alternate rows of the image surface tension energy required to separate Monolithic color print heads are difficult reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzle ized ink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle by contact with the print medium or a transfer roller. Electrostatic pull The drops to be printed Very simple print head Requires very high electrostatic field Silverbrook, EP 0771 on ink are selected by fabrication can be used Electrostatic field for small nozzle sizes is 658 A2 and related some manner (e.g. The drop selection means does above air breakdown patent applications thermally induced not need to provide the Electrostatic field may attract dust Tone-Jet surface tension energy required to separate reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzle ized ink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle by a strong electric field. Magnetic pull on The drops to be Very simple print head Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink printed are selected fabrication can be used Ink colors other than black are difficult 658 A2 and related by some manner (e.g. The drop selection means does Requires very high magnetic fields patent applications thermally induced not need to provide the surface tension energy required to separate reduction of pressur- the drop from the nozzle ized ink). Selected drops are separated from the ink in the nozzle by a strong magnetic field acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves a High speed (>50 KHz) Moving parts are required IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 shutter to block ink operation can be achieved Requires ink pressure modulator flow to the nozzle. due to reduced refill time Friction and wear must be considered The ink pressure is Drop timing can be very Stiction is possible pulsed at a multiple accurate of the drop ejection The actuator energy can be frequency. very low Shuttered grill The actuator moves a Actuators with small travel can Moving parts are required IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 shutter to block ink be used Requires ink pressure modulator flow through a grill Actuators with small force can Friction and wear must be considered to the nozzle. The be used Stiction is possible shutter movement need High speed (>50 KHz) only be equal to operation can be achieved the width of the grill holes. Pulsed magnetic A pulsed magnetic Extremely low energy operation Requires an external pulsed magnetic field IJ10 pull on ink pusher field attracts an ‘ink is possible Requires special materials for both the pusher’ at the drop No heat dissipation problems actuator and the ink pusher ejection frequency. Complex construction An actuator controls a catch, which prevents the ink pusher from moving when a drop is not to be ejected.

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directly Simplicity of construction Drop ejection energy must be supplied Most inkjets, including fires the ink drop, Simplicity of operation by individual nozzle actuator piezoelectric and and there is no Small physical size thermal bubble. external field or other IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 mechanism required. IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 IJ23-IJ45 Oscillating ink The ink pressure Oscillating ink pressure can Requires external ink pressure oscillator Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure oscillates, providing provide a refill pulse, Ink pressure phase and amplitude must 658 A2 and related (including much of the drop allowing higher operating be carefully controlled patent applications acoustic ejection energy. The speed Acoustic reflections in the ink chamber IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 stimulation) actuator selects The actuators may operate with must be designed for IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 which drops are to be much lower energy fired by selectively Acoustic lenses can be used to blocking or enabling focus the sound on the nozzles. The ink nozzles pressure oscillation may be achieved by vibrating the print head, or preferably by an actuator in the ink supply. Media proximity The print head is Low power Precision assembly required Silverbrook, EP 0771 placed in close High accuracy Paper fibers may cause problems 658 A2 and related proximity to the Simple print head construction Cannot print on rough substrates patent applications print medium. Selected drops protrude from the print head further than unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer roller Drops are printed to High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP 0771 a transfer roller Wide range of print substrates Expensive 658 A2 and related instead of straight can be used Complex construction patent applications to the print medium. Ink can be dried on the transfer Tektronix hot melt A transfer roller roller piezoelectric inkjet can also be used for Any of the IJ series proximity drop separation. Electrostatic An electric field is Low power Field strength required for separation Silverbrook, EP 0771 used to accelerate Simple print head construction of small drops is near or above air 658 A2 and related selected drops towards breakdown patent applications the print medium. Tone-Jet Direct magnetic A magnetic field is Low power Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP 0771 field used to accelerate Simple print head construction Requires strong magnetic field 658 A2 and related selected drops of patent applications magnetic ink towards the print medium. Cross magnetic The print head is Does not require magnetic Requires external magnet IJ06, IJ16 field placed in a constant materials to be integrated in Current densities may be high, resulting magnetic field. The the print head manufacturing in electromigration problems Lorenz force in a process current carrying wire is used to move the actuator. Pulsed magnetic A pulsed magnetic Very low power operation is Complex print head construction IJ10 field field is used to possible Magnetic materials required in print head cyclically attract a Small print head size paddle, which pushes on the ink. A small actuator moves a catch, which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Actuator amplification Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuator mechanical Operational simplicity Many actuator mechanisms have insuf- Thermal Bubble InkJet amplification is ficient travel, or insufficient force, IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 used. The actuator to efficiently drive the drop ejection IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 directly drives the process drop ejection process. Differential An actuator material Provides greater travel in a High stresses are involved Piezoelectric expansion bend expands more on reduced print head area Care must be taken that the materials IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 actuator one side than on The bend actuator converts a do not delaminate IJ27 IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, the other. The high force low travel actuator Residual bend resulting from high IJ43, IJ44 expansion may be mechanism to high travel, temperature or high stress during thermal, piezoelectric, lower force mechanism. formation magnetostrictive, or other mechanism. Transient bend A trilayer bend Very good temperature stability High stresses are involved IJ40, IJ41 actuator actuator where the two High speed, as a new drop can Care must be taken that the materials outside layers are be fired before heat dissipates do not delaminate identical. This cancels Cancels residual stress of bend due to ambient formation temperature and residual stress. The actuator only responds to transient heating of one side or the other. Actuator stack A series of thin Increased travel Increased fabrication complexity Some piezoelectric ink actuators are stacked. Reduced drive voltage Increased possibility of short circuits jets This can be due to pinholes IJ04 appropriate where actuators require high electric field strength, such as electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple actuators Multiple smaller Increases the force available Actuator forces may not add linearly, IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 actuators are used from an actuator reducing efficiency IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 simultaneously to Multiple actuators can be move the ink. Each positioned to control ink flow actuator need accurately provide only a portion of the force required. Linear Spring A linear spring is Matches low travel actuator Requires print head area for the spring IJ15 used to transform a with higher travel motion with small requirements travel and high force Non-contact method of motion into a longer travel, transformation lower force motion. Reverse spring The actuator loads a Better coupling to the ink Fabrication complexity IJ05, IJ11 spring. When the High stress in the spring actuator is turned off, the spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of the drop ejection. Coiled actuator A bend actuator is Increases travel Generally restricted to planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 coiled to provide Reduces chip area implementations due to extreme greater travel in a Planar implementations are fabrication difficulty in other reduced chip area. relatively easy to fabricate. orientations. Flexure bend A bend actuator has Simple means of increasing Care must be taken not to exceed the IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator a small region near travel of a bend actuator elastic limit in the flexure area the fixture point, Stress distribution is very uneven which flexes much Difficult to accurately model with finite more readily than element analysis the remainder of the actuator. The actuator flexing is effectively converted from an even coiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel of the actuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to Low force, low travel actuators Moving parts are required IJ13 increase travel at can be used Several actuator cycles are required the expense of Can be fabricated using More complex drive electronics duration. Circular standard surface MEMS Complex construction gears, rack and pinion, processes Friction, friction, and wear are possible ratchets, and other gearing methods can be used. Catch The actuator controls Very low actuator energy Complex construction IJ10 a small catch. The Very small actuator size Requires external force catch either enables Unsuitable for pigmented inks or disables movement of an ink pusher that is controlled in a bulk manner. Buckle plate A buckle plate can be Very fast movement achievable Must stay within elastic limits of the S. Hirata et al, “An Ink- used to change a materials for long device life jet Head . . . ”, Proc. slow actuator into a High stresses involved IEEE MEMS, February fast motion. It can Generally high power requirement 1996, pp 418-423. also convert a high IJ18, IJ27 force, low travel actuator into a high travel, medium force motion. Tapered magnetic A tapered magnetic Linearizes the magnetic Complex construction IJ14 pole pole can increase force/distance curve travel at the expense of force. Lever A lever and fulcrum Matches low travel actuator High stress around the fulcrum IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 is used to transform with higher travel a motion with small requirements travel and high force Fulcrum area has no linear into a motion with movement, and can be used longer travel and for a fluid seal lower force. The lever can also reverse the direction of travel. Rotary impeller The actuator is High mechanical advantage Complex construction IJ28 connected to a rotary The ratio of force to travel of Unsuitable for pigmented inks impeller. A small the actuator can be matched angular deflection of to the nozzle requirements by the actuator results varying the number of in a rotation of the impeller vanes impeller vanes, which push the ink against stationary vanes and out of the nozzle. Acoustic lens A refractive or No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimioglu et al, diffractive (e.g. zone Only relevant for acoustic ink jets EUP 550,192 plate) acoustic lens 1993 Elrod et al, EUP is used to concentrate 572,220 sound waves. Sharp conductive A sharp point is used Simple construction Difficult to fabricate using standard Tone-jet point to concentrate an VLSI processes for a surface ejecting electrostatic field. ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Actuator motion Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume The volume of the Simple construction High energy is typically required to Hewlett-Packard expansion actuator changes, in the case achieve volume expansion. This leads to Thermal InkJet pushing the ink in of thermal ink jet thermal stress, cavitation, and kogation Canon Bubblejet all directions. in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuator moves in Efficient coupling High fabrication complexity may be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 normal to a direction normal to ink drops required to achieve perpendicular motion IJ11, IJ14 chip surface to the print head ejected normal to surface. The nozzle the surface is typically in the line of movement. Linear, The actuator moves Suitable for planar Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, parallel to parallel to the print fabrication Friction IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 chip surface head surface. Drop Stiction ejection may still be normal to the surface. Membrane push An actuator with a The effective Fabrication complexity 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. high force but small area of the Actuator size 4,459,601 area is used to push actuator becomes Difficulty of integration in a VLSI a stiff membrane that the membrane area process is in contact with the ink. Rotary The actuator causes Rotary levers may Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 the rotation of some be used to May have friction at a pivot point element, such a grill increase travel or impeller Small chip area requirements Bend The actuator bends A very small Requires the actuator to be made from 1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. when energized. This change in at least two distinct layers, or to 3,946,398 may be due to dimensions can have a thermal difference across the 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. differential thermal be converted actuator 3,747,120 expansion, piezo- to a large IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 electric expansion, motion. IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 magnetostriction, IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 or other form of IJ35 relative dimensional change. Swivel The actuator swivels Allows operation Inefficient coupling to the ink motion IJ06 around a central where the net pivot. This motion is linear force on suitable where there the paddle is are opposite forces zero applied to opposite Small chip area sides of the paddle, requirements e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten The actuator is Can be used Requires careful balance of stresses to IJ26, IJ32 normally bent, and with shape ensure that the quiescent bend is straightens when memory alloys accurate energized. where the austenic phase is planar Double bend The actuator bends in One actuator can Difficult to make the drops ejected by IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 one direction when one be used to power both bend directions identical. element is energized, two nozzles. A small efficiency loss compared to and bends the other way Reduced chip size. equivalent single bend actuators. when another element is Not sensitive to energized. ambient temperature Shear Energizing the actuator Can increase the Not readily applicable to other actuator 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. causes a shear motion in effective travel mechanisms 4,584,590 the actuator material. of piezoelectric actuators Radial The actuator squeezes Relatively easy High force required 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction an ink reservoir, to fabricate Inefficient 3,683,212 forcing ink from a single nozzles Difficult to integrate with VLSI constricted nozzle. from glass processes tubing as macroscopic structures Coil/uncoil A coiled actuator Easy to fabricate Difficult to fabricate for non-planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 uncoils or coils more as a planar devices tightly. The motion of VLSI process Poor out-of-plane stiffness the free end of the Small area actuator ejects the ink. required, therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows (or Can increase the Maximum travel is constrained IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 buckles) in the speed of travel High force required middle when energized. Mechanically rigid Push-Pull Two actuators control The structure is Not readily suitable for inkjets which IJ18 a shutter. One pinned at both directly push the ink actuator pulls the ends, so has a shutter, and the other high out-of- pushes it. plane rigidity Curl inwards A set of actuators curl Good fluid flow Design complexity IJ20, IJ42 inwards to reduce to the region the volume of ink that behind the they enclose. actuator increases efficiency Curl outwards A set of actuators Relatively simple Relatively large chip area IJ43 curl outwards, construction pressurizing ink in a chamber surrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiple vanes enclose High efficiency High fabrication complexity IJ22 a volume of ink. These Small chip area Not suitable for pigmented inks simultaneously rotate, reducing the volume between the vanes. Acoustic vibration The actuator vibrates The actuator can Large area required for efficient 1993 Hadimioglu et al, at a high frequency. be physically operation at useful frequencies EUP 550,192 distant from the Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al, EUP ink Complex drive circuitry 572,220 Poor control of drop volume and position None In various ink jet No moving parts Various other tradeoffs are required Silverbrook, EP 0771 designs the actuator to eliminate moving parts 658 A2 and related does not move. patent applications Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Nozzle refill method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Surface tension After the actuator Fabrication simplicity Low speed Thermal inkjet is energized, it Operational simplicity Surface tension force relatively small Piezoelectric inkjet typically returns compared to actuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 rapidly to its normal Long refill time usually dominates the IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 position. This rapid total repetition rate return sucks in air through the nozzle opening. The ink surface tension at the nozzle then exerts a small force restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. Shuttered Ink to the nozzle High speed Requires common ink pressure oscillator IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 oscillating ink chamber is provided Low actuator energy, as the May not be suitable for pigmented inks IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 pressure at a pressure that actuator need only open or oscillates at twice close the shutter, instead of the drop ejection ejecting the ink drop frequency. When a drop is to be ejected, the shutter is opened for 3 half cycles: drop ejection, actuator return, and refill. Refill actuator After the main actuator High speed, as the nozzle is Requires two independent actuators per IJ09 has ejected a drop a actively refilled nozzle second (refill) actuator is energized. The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive ink The ink is held a slight High refill rate, therefore a Surface spill must be prevented Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure positive pressure. After high drop repetition rate is Highly hydrophobic print head surfaces 658 A2 and related the ink drop is ejected, possible are required patent applications the nozzle chamber fills Alternative for: quickly as surface IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 tension and ink pressure IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 both operate to refill the nozzle.

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Inlet back-flow restriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Long inlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate Thermal inkjet channel to the nozzle chamber Operational simplicity May result in a relatively large chip Piezoelectric inkjet is made long and Reduces crosstalk area IJ42, IJ43 relatively narrow, Only partially effective relying on viscous drag to reduce inlet back-flow. Positive ink The ink is under a Drop selection and separation Requires a method (such as a nozzle rim Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure positive pressure, forces can be reduced or effective hydrophobizing, or both) to 658 A2 and related so that in the Fast refill time prevent flooding of the ejection surface patent applications quiescent state some of the print head. Possible operation of the of the ink drop already following: protrudes from the IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 nozzle. This reduces IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, the pressure in the IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 nozzle chamber which IJ44 is required to eject a certain volume of ink. The reduction in chamber pressure results in a reduction in ink pushed out through the inlet. Baffle One or more baffles The refill rate is not as Design complexity HP Thermal Ink Jet are placed in the restricted as the long May increase fabrication complexity Tektronix piezoelectric inlet ink flow. When inlet method. (e.g. Tektronix hot melt Piezoelectric inkjet the actuator is Reduces crosstalk print heads). energized, the rapid ink movement creates eddies which restrict the flow through the inlet. The slower refill process is unre- stricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flap In this method Significantly reduces back-flow Not applicable to most inkjet config- Canon restricts inlet recently disclosed by for edge-shooter thermal ink urations Canon, the expanding jet devices Increased fabrication complexity actuator (bubble) Inelastic deformation of polymer flap pushes on a flexible results in creep over extended use flap that restricts the inlet. Inlet filter A filter is located Additional advantage of ink Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27 between the ink inlet filtration May result in complex construction IJ29, IJ30 and the nozzle chamber. Ink filter may be fabricated The filter has a with no additional process multitude of small steps holes or slots, restricting ink flow. The filter also removes particles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 compared to to the nozzle chamber May result in a relatively large chip nozzle has a substantially area smaller cross section Only partially effective than that of the nozzle, resulting in easier ink egress out of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet shutter A secondary actuator Increases speed of the ink- Requires separate refill actuator and IJ09 controls the position jet print head operation drive circuit of a shutter, closing off the ink inlet when the main actuator is energized. The inlet is The method avoids Back-flow problem is Requires careful design to minimize the IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 located behind the problem of inlet eliminated negative pressure behind the paddle IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 the ink-pushing back-flow by arrang- IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 surface ing the ink-pushing IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 surface of the IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 actuator between the IJ40, IJ41 inlet and the nozzle. Part of the The actuator and a Significant reductions in back- Small increase in fabrication complexity IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator moves wall of the ink flow can be achieved to shut off chamber are arranged Compact designs possible the inlet so that the motion of the actuator closes off the inlet. Nozzle actuator In some configura- Ink back-flow problem is None related to ink back-flow on Silverbrook, EP 0771 does not result tions of ink jet, eliminated actuation 658 A2 and related in ink back-flow there is no expan- patent applications sion or movement of Valve-jet an actuator which may Tone-jet cause ink back-flow IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 through the inlet. IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Nozzle Clearing method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Normal nozzle All of the nozzles are No added complexity on the May not be sufficient to displace dried Most ink jet systems firing fired periodically, print head ink IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 before the ink has a IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 chance to dry. When IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 not in use the nozzles are sealed (capped) against air. The nozzle firing is usually performed during a special clear- ing cycle, after first moving the print head to a cleaning station. Extra power to In systems which heat Can be highly effective if the Requires higher drive voltage for Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink heater the ink, but do not heater is adjacent to the clearing 658 A2 and related boil it under normal nozzle May require larger drive transistors patent applications situations, nozzle clearing can be achieved by over- powering the heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid succession The actuator is fired Does not require extra drive Effectiveness depends substantially May be used with: of actuator pulses in rapid succession. circuits on the print head upon the configuration of the inkjet IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 In some configurations, Can be readily controlled and nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 this may cause heat initiated by digital logic IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 build-up at the nozzle IJ36-IJ45 which boils the ink, clearing the nozzle. In other situations, it may cause sufficient vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles. Extra power to Where an actuator is A simple solution where Not suitable where there is a hard limit May be used with: ink pushing not normally driven applicable to actuator movement IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 actuator to the limit of its IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 motion, nozzle clearing IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 may be assisted by IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 providing an enhanced IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 drive signal to the actuator. Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is A high nozzle clearing High implementation cost if system does IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance applied to the ink capability can be achieved not already include an acoustic actuator IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 chamber. This wave is May be implemented at very of an appropriate low cost in systems which amplitude and fre- already include acoustic quency to cause actuators sufficient force at the nozzle to clear blockages. This is easiest to achieve if the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle clearing A microfabricated plate Can clear severely clogged Accurate mechanical alignment is re- Silverbrook, EP 0771 plate is pushed against the nozzles quired 658 A2 and related nozzles. The plate has Moving parts are required patent applications a post for every nozzle. There is risk of damage to the nozzles The array of posts Accurate fabrication is required Ink pressure pulse The pressure of the May be effective where other Requires pressure pump or other May be used with all IJ ink is temporarily methods cannot be used pressure actuator series ink jets increased so that ink Expensive streams from all of Wasteful of ink the nozzles. This may be used in con- junction with actuator energizing. Print head wiper A flexible ‘blade’ Effective for planar print head Difficult to use if print head surface is Many ink jet systems is wiped across the surfaces non-planar or very fragile print head surface. Low cost Requires mechanical parts The blade is usually Blade can wear out in high volume print fabricated from a systems flexible polymer, e.g. rubber or synthetic elastomer. Separate ink A separate heater is Can be effective where other Fabrication complexity Can be used with many boiling heater provided at the nozzle clearing methods IJ series ink jets nozzle although the cannot be used normal drop e-ection Can be implemented at no mechanism does not additional cost in some inkjet require it. The configurations heaters do not require individual drive circuits, as many nozzles can be cleared simultaneously, and no imaging is required.

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Nozzle plate construction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Electroformed A nozzle plate is Fabrication simplicity High temperatures and pressures are Hewlett Packard nickel separately fabricated required to bond nozzle plate Thermal Inkjet from electroformed Minimum thickness constraints nickel, and bonded Differential thermal expansion to the print head chip. Laser ablated or Individual nozzle holes No masks required Each hole must be individually formed Canon Bubblejet drilled polymer are ablated by an Can be quite fast Special equipment required 1988 Sercel et al., intense UV laser in a Some control over nozzle Slow where there are many thousands SPIE, Vol. 998 Excimer nozzle plate, which profile is possible of nozzles per print head Beam Applications, is typically a polymer Equipment required is May produce thin burrs at exit holes pp. 76-83 such as polyimide or relatively low cost 1993 Watanabe et al., polysulphone U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 Silicon micro- A separate nozzle High accuracy is attainable Two part construction K. Bean, IEEE machined plate is micromachined High cost Transactions on from single crystal Requires precision alignment Electron Devices, Vol. silicon, and bonded Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive ED-25, No. 10, 1978, to the print head pp 1185-1195 wafer. Xerox 1990 Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries No expensive equipment Very small nozzle sizes are difficult to 1970 Zoltan U.S. capillaries are drawn from glass required form Pat. No. 3,683,212 tubing. This method Simple to make single nozzles Not suited for mass production has been used for making individual nozzles, but is difficult to use for bulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate is High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires sacrificial layer under the Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface micro- deposited as a layer Monolithic nozzle plate to form the nozzle chamber 658 A2 and related machined using using standard VLSI Low cost Surface may be fragile to the touch patent applications VLSI litho- deposition techniques. Existing processes can be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 graphic Nozzles are etched in used IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 processes the nozzle plate using IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 VLSI lithography and IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 etching. IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etch times IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 etched through buried etch stop in Monolithic Requires a support wafer IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 substrate the wafer. Nozzle Low cost IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 chambers are etched in No differential expansion IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 the front of the wafer, and the wafer is thinned from the back side. Nozzles are then etched in the etch stop layer. No nozzle plate Various methods have No nozzles to become clogged Difficult to control drop position accu- Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et al been tried to eliminate rately U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 the nozzles entirely, Crosstalk problems 1993 Hadimioglu et al to prevent nozzle EUP 550,192 clogging. These include 1993 Elrod et al EUP thermal bubble mecha- 572,220 nisms and acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop ejector has Reduced manufacturing Drop firing direction is sensitive to IJ35 a trough through complexity wicking. which a paddle moves. Monolithic There is no nozzle plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of No nozzles to become clogged Difficult to control drop position accu- 1989 Saito et al instead of nozzle holes and rately U.S. Pat. No. individual replacement by a Crosstalk problems 4,799,068 nozzles slit encompassing many actuator posi- tions reduces nozzle clogging, but in- creases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Ejection direction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the Simple construction Nozzles limited to edge Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edge shooter’) surface of the chip, No silicon etching required High resolution is difficult Endo et al GB patent and ink drops are Good heat sinking via sub- Fast color printing requires one print 2,007,162 ejected from the chip strate head per color Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 edge. Mechanically strong Hawkins et al U.S. Ease of chip handing Pat. No. 4,899,181 Tone-jet Surface Ink flow is along the No bulk silicon etching Maximum ink flow is severely restricted Hewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof shooter’) surface of the chip, required 1982 Vaught et al and ink drops are Silicon can make an effective U.S. Pat. No. ejected from the chip heat sink 4,490,728 surface, normal to Mechanical strength IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 the plane of the chip. IJ22 Through chip, Ink flow is through High ink flow Requires bulk silicon etching Silverbrook, EP 0771 forward the chip, and ink Suitable for pagewidth print 658 A2 and related (‘up shooter’) drops are ejected High nozzle packing density patent applications from the front sur- therefore low manufacturing IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 face of the chip. cost IJ27-IJ45 Through chip, Ink flow is through High ink flow Requires wafer thinning IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 reverse the chip, and ink Suitable for pagewidth print Requires special handling during IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 (‘down shooter’) drops are ejected High nozzle packing density manufacture IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 from the rear surface therefore low manufacturing IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 of the chip. cost IJ26 Through actuator Ink flow is through Suitable for piezoelectric Pagewidth print heads require several Epson Stylus the actuator, which print heads thousand connections to drive circuits Tektronix hot melt is not fabricated as Cannot be manufactured in standard piezoelectric ink jets part of the same CMOS fabs substrate as the Complex assembly required drive transistors.

INK TYPE Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, dye Water based ink Environmentally friendly Slow drying Most existing inkjets which typically No odor Corrosive All IJ series ink jets contains: water, Bleeds on paper Silverbrook, EP 0771 dye, surfactant, May strikethrough 658 A2 and related humectant, and Cockles paper patent applications biocide. Modern ink dyes have high water- fastness, light fastness Aqueous, pigment Water based ink Environmentally friendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 which typically No odor Corrosive IJ27, IJ30 contains: water, Reduced bleed Pigment may clog nozzles Silverbrook, EP 0771 pigment, surfactant, Reduced wicking Pigment may clog actuator mechanisms 658 A2 and related humectant, and Reduced strikethrough Cockles paper patent applications biocide. Piezoelectric ink-jets Pigments have an Thermal ink jets (with advantage in reduced significant bleed, wicking restrictions) and strikethrough. Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly vola- Very fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) tile solvent used for Prints on various substrates Flammable industrial printing such as metals and plastics on difficult surfaces such as aluminum cans. Alcohol Alcohol based inks Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2- can be used where Operates at sub-freezing Flammable butanol, and the printer must temperatures others) operate at tempera- Reduced paper cockle tures below the Low cost freezing point of water. An example of this is in-camera consumer photographic printing. Phase change The ink is solid at No drying time - ink instantly High viscosity Tektronix hot melt (hot melt) room temperature, and freezes on the print medium Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel piezoelectric ink jets is melted in the Almost any print medium can Printed pages may ‘block’ 1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. print head before jet- be used Ink temperature may be above the curie No. 4,820,346 ting. Hot melt inks No paper cockle occurs point of permanent magnets All IJ series ink jets are usually wax based, No wicking occurs Ink heaters consume power with a melting point No bleed occurs Long warm-up time around 80° C. After No strikethrough occurs jetting the ink freezes almost instantly upon contacting the print medium or a transfer roller. Oil Oil based inks are High solubility medium for High viscosity: this is a significant All IJ series ink jets extensively used in some dyes limitation for use in inkjets, which offset printing. They Does not cockle paper usually require a low viscosity. Some have advantages in Does not wick through paper short chain and multi-branched oils improved characteris- have a sufficiently low viscosity. tics on paper (especi- Slow drying ally no wicking or cockle). Oil soluble dies and pigments are required. Microemulsion A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher than water All IJ series ink jets stable, self forming High dye solubility Cost is slightly higher than water based emulsion of oil, water, Water, oil, and amphiphilic ink and surfactant. The soluble dies can be used High surfactant concentration required characteristic drop Can stabilize pigment (around 5%) size is less than suspensions 100 nm, and is deter- mined by the preferred curvature of the surfactant. Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra- lian U.S. Provi- Pat. No./Patent sional application Number Filing Date Title and Filing Date PO8066 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,652 and Apparatus (IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,213,588 and Apparatus (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,213,589 and Apparatus (IJ03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8071 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,231,163 and Apparatus (IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,795 and Apparatus (IJ05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,394,581 and Apparatus (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,244,691 and Apparatus (IJ07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8063 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,704 and Apparatus (IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,416,168 and Apparatus (IJ09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,220,694 and Apparatus (IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,257,705 and Apparatus (IJ11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8049 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,794 and Apparatus (IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,610 and Apparatus (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,793 and Apparatus (IJ14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,264,306 and Apparatus (IJ15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8067 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,241,342 and Apparatus (IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,792 and Apparatus (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,264,307 and Apparatus (IJ18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,254,220 and Apparatus (IJ19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8002 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,611 and Apparatus (IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,302,528 and Apparatus (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,283,582 and Apparatus (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,239,821 and Apparatus (IJ23) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8039 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,338,547 and Apparatus (IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,796 and Apparatus (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 09/113,122 and Apparatus (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8037 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,390,603 and Apparatus (IJ27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8043 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,362,843 and Apparatus (IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,293,653 and Apparatus (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,312,107 and Apparatus (IJ30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9389 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,653 and Apparatus (IJ31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9391 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,234,609 and Apparatus (IJ32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,238,040 and Apparatus (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,188,415 and Apparatus (IJ34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,227,654 and Apparatus (IJ35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0873 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,209,989 and Apparatus (IJ36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,247,791 and Apparatus (IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method 6,336,710 and Apparatus (IJ38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1398 19 Jan. 1998 An Image Creation 6,217,153 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJ39) PP2592 25 Mar. 1998 An Image Creation 6,416,167 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJ40) PP2593 25 Mar. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,243,113 and Apparatus (IJ41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,283,581 and Apparatus (IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3987 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,247,790 and Apparatus (IJ43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,260,953 and Apparatus (IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method 6,267,469 and Apparatus (IJ45) (Jul. 10, 1998) Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austral- U.S. Pat. No./ ian Patent Provi- application sional and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7935 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,224,780 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM01) PO7936 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,212 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM02) PO7937 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,280,643 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM03) PO8061 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,284,147 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM04) PO8054 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,214,244 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM05) PO8065 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,071,750 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM06) PO8055 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,267,905 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM07) PO8053 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,251,298 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM08) PO8078 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,285 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM09) PO7933 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,225,138 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM10) PO7950 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,904 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM11) PO7949 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,299,786 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM12) PO8060 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 09/113,124 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM13) PO8059 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,773 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM14) PO8073 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,190,931 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM15) PO8076 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,249 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM16) PO8075 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,290,862 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM17) PO8079 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,906 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM18) PO8050 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 09/113,116 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM19) PO8052 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,905 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM20) PO7948 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,451,216 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM21) PO7951 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,772 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM22) PO8074 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,274,056 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM23) PO7941 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,290,861 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM24) PO8077 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,248 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM25) PO8058 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,306,671 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM26) PO8051 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,331,258 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM27) PO8045 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,110,754 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM28) PO7952 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,294,101 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM29) PO8046 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,416,679 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM30) PO8503 11 Aug. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,264,849 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM30a) PO9390 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,254,793 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM31) PO9392 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM32) PP0889 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM35) PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,264,850 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM36) PP0882 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM37) PP0874 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM38) PP1396 19 Jan. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,228,668 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM39) PP2591 25 Mar. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,180,427 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM41) PP3989 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,171,875 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM40) PP3990 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,267,904 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM42) PP3986 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM43) PP3984 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM44) PP3982 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,148 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM45) Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

U.S. Australian Pat. No./Patent Provisional application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO8003 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method and 6,350,023 Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method and 6,318,849 Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,101 Method (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998) MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

U.S. Australian Pat. No./Patent Provisional application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO7943 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS01) PO8006 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and 09/113,065 Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12 Dec. 1997 A device (MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,075 Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998) IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austral- U.S. Pat. No./ ian Patent Provis- application ional and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PP0895 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Creation 6,231,148 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR01) PP0870 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,106 Method (IR02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,293,658 Method (IR04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation 09/113,104 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR05) PP0885 12 Dec. 1997 An Image 6,238,033 Production (Jul. 10, 1998) System (IR06) PP0884 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation 6,312,070 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR10) PP0886 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation 6,238,111 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR12) PP0871 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,086 Method (IR13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12 Dec. 1997 An Image 09/113,094 Processing (Jul. 10, 1998) Method and Apparatus (IR14) PP0877 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,378,970 Method (IR16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,196,739 Method (IR17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/112,774 Method (IR18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,270,182 Method (IR19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 6,152,619 Method (IR20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and 09/113,092 Method (IR21) (Jul. 10, 1998) DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austra- U.S. Pat. No./ lian Patent Provis- application ional and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PP2370 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/112,781 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing 09/113,052 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot02) Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Austral- U.S. Pat. No./ ian Patent Provi- application sional and Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7991 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,060 and Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7988 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,476,863 and Apparatus (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7993 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,073 and Apparatus (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,322,181 and Apparatus (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,747 and Apparatus (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,750 and Apparatus (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8032 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,746 and Apparatus (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,743 and Apparatus (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,742 and Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8031 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,741 and Apparatus (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7979 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8015 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7978 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7982 15 Jul 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,669 and Apparatus (ART 19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7989 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,362,869 and Apparatus (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15 Jul. 1997 Media Processing Method 6,472,052 and Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7980 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,356,715 and Apparatus (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8018 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,777 and Apparatus (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,224 and Apparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,366,693 and Apparatus (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,329,990 and Apparatus (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7940 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,072 and Apparatus (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,785 and Apparatus (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,137,500 and Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,796 and Apparatus (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7987 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,071 and Apparatus (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,398,328 and Apparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/113,090 and Apparatus (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8020 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,431,704 and Apparatus (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,222 and Apparatus (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,786 and Apparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8000 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,415,054 and Apparatus (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,782 and Apparatus (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,056 and Apparatus (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,059 and Apparatus (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,486,886 and Apparatus (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,381,361 and Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7981 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,317,192 and Apparatus (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,057 and Apparatus (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,054 and Apparatus (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,752 and Apparatus (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,759 and Apparatus (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing Method 09/112,757 and Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9394 23 Sep. 1997 Image Processing Method 6,357,135 and Apparatus (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/113,107 and Apparatus (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,271,931 and Apparatus (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,353,772 and Apparatus (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,106,147 and Apparatus (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,790 and Apparatus (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,304,291 and Apparatus (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 09/112,788 and Apparatus (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,305,770 and Apparatus (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9405 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing Method 6,289,262 and Apparatus (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16 Dec. 1997 A Data Processing Method 6,315,200 and Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19 Jan. 1998 A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998) 

1. A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing an image of a scene with a digital camera utilising an adjustable focusing technique of the digital camera to produce the digital image; detecting structures within the digital image by processing the digital image with a processor of the digital camera utilising focusing settings of the adjustable focusing technique as an indicator of positions of said structures; and applying image effects to the detected structures with said processor.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of: capturing said digital image utilising a zooming technique; and utilising zooming settings in a heuristic manner so as to process portions of said digital image.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing comprises utilising auto focus information to assist in the location of objects within the image.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said focusing settings are derived from a CCD captured digital image. 